BBC - the L.A.B - Video workshops

There are a variety of different video workshops at the L.A.B to suit ages from pre-school to adults. We'll give you a brief introduction to moving images and how they work, basic camera techniques, writing a story board, using a camcorder to capture footage, editing the movie on a computer and adding music and sound effects. We'll then showcase your movie on our big screen. The technology we use is not only easy to understand, but may also be available at home, at school or in the workplace. All in just four hours!

We have a very flexible set installed in the L.A.B which allows you to make green screen (chroma-key) media. Have a chat show or learn how to write and introduce a news or weather report or even a piece of drama using this great resource.

Limited only by your imagination, we can virtually set your programme anywhere on the planet from a New York street to a Scottish Island, or even from inside the human body to beyond the Milky Way in Outer Space!

You can choose which workshop best suits your group from the list below, and remember... most workshops can be tailored to suit your needs.

We've helped groups make all sorts of films in four hours in the L.A.B. Have a look at some of the work made by previous visitors... just click on the images to the right.

"Where's Ted?" and "My favourite things"

Pre-school and early years

"Where's Ted?" The search is on in the school for Ted who is missing. We stop film and talk to lots of children who join up to help to find 'Ted". Where has he been hiding?

The children get the chance to show and tell us about 'Their favourite things" (books/ rhymes/ songs and activities).

Children filming themselves and others in their own surroundings. Lots of possibilities for outside activities. The content of the workshop can be adapted to most classroom projects. At the end of the day the children will have a film of their creation.

Key Elements

Story telling; Talking to others; Show and tell; Basic filming.

Look Now! (Video podcast - magazine format)

Children and adults (age 7+)

Have you ever wanted to make your own television programme? Well, this is your chance. In this workshop devise, film and edit your own short programme. Working as a production team you can film interviews, work on features and write presenter scripts. By the end of the workshop you should have your programme ready to broadcast. There is the chance to make interesting themed programmes (green issues/ Victorians/ numbers/ citizenship).

To get the most out of this workshop preparation before hand is needed.

Key Elements

Planning and devising a programme; Scripting; Filming; Basic editing (on iMovie).

Green Screen

All ages

Do you want to transport yourself to some where else without leaving the room? Well this is the workshop for you. Using Chroma key technology you can video yourself in front of a green screen and have what ever background you like. Film yourself and then put in your own location in the background. You can even bring your own drawings and use them. Make a class montage/ tell a story/ tell us about your home town/ history facts/ recite your own poetry ... the choice is endless.

Key Elements

Scripting; Green screen technology; Using photographs in an interesting way; Video editing in iMovie.

Make the news

Children and adults (age 7+)

Make a short news programme. Do interviews, write news scripts and read the news headlines.

Key Elements

Understanding more about how news items are put together; Reading news headlines; Interview Techniques; Filming; Basic editing (on iMovie).

Pass the Knowledge (video pod cast)

All ages

Learn how to plan, film and edit your own short film. Pass on your knowledge of something to others. Share a lesson, a hobby or your own 'life tips and quips'.

Key Elements

Understanding more about how news items are put together; Reading news headlines; Interview Techniques; Filming; Basic editing (on iMovie).